What Happened
In the village of Pithauli, on the edge of Chitwan National Park in Nepal, a safe feeding site for critically endangered vultures has long been considered a conservation success story. For visitors, the feeding site, also known as the "vulture restaurant", provides a rare photo opportunity: while white-backed vultures (Gyps bengalensis) and slender-billed vultures (Gyps tenuirostris) feed on carcasses laid out by locals, one-horned rhinos, jackals, wild boars, and crows watch and sometimes join in.
However, for ornithologist Rajendra Suwal, the spectacle is a problem, as he claims that "if an infected bird comes to the site, the disease can spread to other birds or even animals". Suwal's concern stems from a recent bird flu or avian influenza outbreak in the country.
Why it Matters
The outbreak, which began in mid-June at the Central Zoo in Kathmandu, is believed to have cost the lives of at least 65 animals and birds from more than 20 species. The dead included owls, Himalayan griffons, grey geese, jungle cats, leopard cats, a sarus crane, and two common leopards.
An investigation by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), which manages the zoo, claims that the outbreak's origin can be traced to two sources: among birds, it likely started through wild crows nesting in open aviary enclosures, while for carnivores, it spread through chicken meat fed to them by the zoo.
The Mechanism/Science Behind it
Bird flu is a viral disease that affects birds and can be transmitted through direct contact with infected birds, as well as through contact with contaminated surfaces and objects. The disease can spread quickly in enclosed environments, such as zoos and farms, where birds are in close contact with each other.
Transmission of bird flu to other animals, such as mammals, is also possible, although it is less common. However, the disease can have severe consequences for the health of these animals, especially if they have no immunity to the disease.
Bigger Picture
The bird flu outbreak at the Central Zoo in Kathmandu is not an isolated event. The disease has been reported in various parts of the world, including Asia, Europe, and North America. Bird flu is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted between animals and humans.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations have warned of the risk of bird flu outbreaks worldwide, especially in areas where wild birds and domestic animals are in close contact.
What Happens Next
The bird flu outbreak at the Central Zoo in Kathmandu raises important questions about the safety and health of animals in Nepal's zoos and national parks. It is crucial that authorities take measures to prevent the spread of the disease and protect the health of animals and humans.
Furthermore, the outbreak highlights the importance of surveillance and monitoring of animal health in zoos and national parks, as well as the need to develop emergency plans to deal with disease outbreaks.
Conclusion
The bird flu outbreak at the Central Zoo in Kathmandu is an important reminder of the importance of animal health and safety in zoos and national parks. It is crucial that authorities take measures to prevent the spread of the disease and protect the health of animals and humans.
Source / Reference
Original article published on the Mongabay website.